Contract sales machine and the like



J. H. PYE

CONTRACT SALES MACHINE AND THE LIKEI Oct. 26, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed Jan. 30, 1951 .\.a||| lltllllll FREQUENCY INCR EASING INVENTOR Oct.v 26, J H FYE l VCONTRACT .SALES MACHINE AND THE LIKE 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 l original Filed Jan. so, 1951 INVENTOR Pye,

- Jaunes ff.

lllllul olif. 26,1954 1 H, PYE `2,692,910 l CONTRACT SALES MACHINE AND THE LIKE original Filed Jan. 3o, 1951 7 sheets-sheet 3 'f sheets-sheet 4 l J. H. PYE

CONTRACT SALES MACHINE AND T HE LIKE y Oct. 26, 1954 original Filed Jan. 30,' 1951 INVENTOR James H.

ATTORNEYS Oct. 26, 1954 J. H. PYE, 2,692,910

CONTRACT sALEs MACHINE AND THE: LIKE original FiledzJan. so', 1951 7 sheets-sheet 5 INVENTOR James l. Pye. BY

Lx.' l ATTORNEYS N @NN J. H. PYE

CONTRACT SALES MACHINE AND THE LIKE Oct. 26, 1954 Original Fl'ed Jan. 30'

INYENTOR f7: Page; I.

ORNEYS J. H. PYE 2,692,910 CONTRACT SALES MACHINE AND THE LIKE i I 1951 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 figinal Filed Jan.

Oct. `26, 1954- Patented Oct. 26, 1954 p y 2,692,910 CONTRACT SALES MACHINE AND THE LIKE James H. Pye, Wynnewood, Pa.

Original application January 30, 1951, Serial No.

The present invention relates to vending insurance and other contracts.

The present application is a division of my copending application SerialNo. 208,467, viiled January 30, 1951, for Contract-Sales Machine, the parent application retaining the claims Aon the composite telegraph and telephone communication circuit, and the present application including the claims von the telautograph, the relating control circuit and the paper feed for the telautograph.

A purpose of the invention is to provide a master station and a dispensing station, to connect the stations by a telautograph system and to permit the completion of a contract of insurance, or the preparationof an oier for such a contract, by means of the telautograph system.

A further purpose is `to interconnect the telautograph stations by means Vof composite sets and desrably to conduct telephonie ,communication through the same pair of wires.

A further purpose is toy employ carrier `cur,- rents generated by oscillators at the sending station and passing through i'llters atthe receiving station to operate relays at a receiving station in order to actuate the signal and locking terminals of the telautograph.

A further purpose is to employ an additional relay at the sending station to render thereceiying relays at that station inoperative and 4preferably to actuate the additional relay'from the locking terminal at the sending station.

A further purpose is to energize the telautograph and desirably also the amplifiers `at the sending station 4by a check controlled switch operating a relay.

A further Vpurpose is to actuate a ready signal at the dispensing station in response to a relay which renders the receiving relays inoperative at that station.

A further purpose is to transmit the signature of an insurance company representative accepting a policy over a telautograph to the dispensing station.

A further purpose is to energize a relay in a dispensing station and preferably at the same time energize a check receptor lock-out and a busy signal by a locking system when `any other dispensing ,station is in operation.

A further purpose is to send out an original locking carrier wave from a vdispensing station to a master station and at the master station thereby energize a system locking oscillator and switch all other dispensing stations except the one in use to locking .Connection with the system locking oscillator.

, Divided and 1952, Serial No. 285,523

6 Claims. (Cl. 178-18) machines for this application May 1,

A further purposeis to energize a system lockout relay at the masterstation by the` original locking` oscillator, by 4the system `lock-out relay to energize the system locking oscillator, to energize an auxiliary filter control relay which connects auxiliary locking filters in each line fand temporarily disconnects each line from the `composite set of the master station, to energize an auxiliary iilter locking signal relay beyond the auxiliary lter at the line which is `in use, `and thereby to energize a line switching relay .which connects the particular line in Iuse tothe composite set and connects `all other lines to the system locking oscillator.

A further purpose is yto `close a policy release switch, to energize a release relay and to `energize a pair of forward and reset step relays which alternately deenergize one another, one of the step relays successively opening and closing step contacts in the telautograph.

A further purpose is to control the closing of the door by paper limit switches operated by the contract as itis withdrawn.

A. further purpose isto release an electric lock in response to a check controlled switch to permit opening the `d oor of the machine.

Further purposes appear inthe specication and in therclaims. Y r

In the drawings I `have chosen to illustrate one only oi the numerous embodiments inwnich my invention may appear, selecting the forms shown from the standpoints of. convenience irl illustration, satisfactory operationand clear demonstration of theprinciples mvolved.

Figure l is a diagrammatic end elevation of the contract vending machine of the invention.

Figure 2 is a top planview of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of Figure 1 with the door open.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary Vsection of Figure 3 on the line li,4. Y

Figure la is a fragmentary enlargement of `Figure 4.

Figure 5 is a further fragmentary enlargement of Figure 4 showing the doorV locked.

Figure 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating the general electrical circuit of `the machine at a dispensing station.

Figure 'l isr a circuit diagram` of the circuit connected with the telautograp-h station oscillators and composite set at a dispensing station.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic plan View of the paper limit switches at the dispensing station.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing the frequencies of the oscillators and the frequencies passed by the lters.

Figure is a circuit diagram of the general circuit at the master station.

Figure 11 is a circuit diagram of the telautograph station oscillators and composite set at the master station.

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic plan View of the paper limit switches at the master station.

Describing in illustration but not in limitation and referring to the drawings:

In the prior art efforts to sell insurance by machine have met with limited success because of the complexity of the equipment and the inability of the customer to obtain requested information. The present invention relates to a vending machine for contracts, especially of insurance, but including other legal documents and is designed to overcome the diiculties of existing equipment.

The sales cost of small insurance policies has been so high that many brokers and agents have been unwilling to handle such policies, in addition to which the minimum premiums charged by the insurance companies very materially increase the cost to the purchaser. The present invention is concerned with a device which will make the sale of very small policies economically feasible.

The machine can be located in public or semipublic places such as railway stations, department stores, public buildings, ofce buildings or the like. One master or headquarters station may control ten or more dispensing stations within a radius of ve miles or more, and using only one operator. A complete record of every transaction is kept at the master station. The customer may pay part or all of the consideration by depositing the necessary coins in the telephone coin box at the machine. If desired, the machine also may operate by allowing the customer to make a payment by a bill of exchange (bank check) or cash paid to the master station.

One of the distinctive features is that the purchaser lls in the policy himself and the insurance companys representative signs the form and/or policy. If desired the operator at the master station can fill in the policy and then sign it. At the same time the purchaser lls in the duplicate form by telautograph at the master station. The purchaser may, if he wishes, talk to the master station by telephone, desirably operating over the same pair of wires as those used by the telautograph. The telephone system may be of the coin box type rather than the talking box type. Questions can thus be asked and the customer may satisfy himself as to any question or doubt.

At the completion of the transaction the insurance company representative may sign the insurance policy on the telautograph thus transmitting his signature to the policy at the dispensing station.

Prior to completion of the transaction the insurance oompany representative can review each policy and reject any offer not desired.

Due to the authorization to insurance companies in many states to insure multiple lines, that is, issue a single policy covering multiple perils on a single property, the insurance company representative can issue a single policy on several perils.

The transaction, as far as possible, is a single complete unit, resulting in great saving of labor and time to the insurance company, the companys representative and corresponding re- '4 l ductions in cost to the purchaser. The customer can also purchase the policy with a minimum of eiort.

Where it is not desired to use the check or coin deposit feature, the policy may be paid for by sending a bill of exchange (bank check) to the headquarters. A suitable bank check form may appear on the policy if desired.

To operate a dispensing station, an electric switch 20 is closed, suitably of the instantaneous contact type. Where the consideration is to be paid for by a bill of exchange, the switch may be any suitably manually operated switch, but normally it will be a check (coin) operated switch of any standard type. In the coin slot 2| (Figure 1) is a suitable slug rejecting coin receiving device 22 as well known, having a coin receiver 23 and a coin return chute '24. It will be evident that the coin switch and associated mechanism may be of any standard commercial form.

A program timer IS is desirably connected between a suitable power source (suitably volts direct current) and the power leads of the device (Figure 6) to turn on. the device at any time (late night, for instance) when the operation is not desired. The program timer, besides the switching which turns on and off the main power source, has advertising cut-off contacts H31 and coin lock-out contacts m2 as later explained.

The check operated switch 2 is in series (Figure 6) with normally closed contacts 21 of a release relay 26, and with a cycle starting relay 21 across terminals 28 and 30 of the source energized through program control EQ. Direct current is preferred. If alternating current is used, corresponding adjustment may be made by introducing rectiflers for the telautograph and oscillator power supplies. The cycle starting relay 21 has a rst set of normally open contacts 211 in series across the line with a latching solenoid 32 (Figures 5 and 6) acting on a latching plunger 33 which is spring urged toward latching position. The latching plunger 33 engages under a latch 34 of an arcuate rotating door 35 covering the front upper segment of the machine at the dispensing station when in closed position and provided with a handle 35. `The door rotates in a suitable trunnion within the housing 31 of the dispensing machine.

Cycle starting relay 21 also carries contacts 212 which are in series across the line between check controlled switch 2@ and latching solenoid 32 in parallel with normally closed contacts 212 and cycle starting relay 21, normally open contacts 212 holding the cycle starting relay in operation notwithstanding that check controlled switch 20 remains closed only instantaneously. Cycle starting relay 21 is provided with normally closed contacts 213 which are in series across the line with an advertising record player 4i (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6) and an electric timer i2 which times the operation of the advertising record player. Contacts |91 of program timer i9 are closed whenever the circuit is energized by the program timer. When cycle starting relay 21 picks up and normally closed contacts 213 open, the advertising record player and timer cease to function as long as the customer is operating the dispensing station. As later explained, an instruction record player is available at the dispensing station to tell the customer what to do.

If any unit of the system is in operation with the master station, lock-out receiving relay 43 (Figure '7) of each other station will pick up, as

later explained, due to theflocking carrier wave received at each other station, and normally open contacts 431 (Figures 6 and7) of lock-out receiving relay 43 are closed. At` this time, parallel contacts |92 of program timer i9 are open, contacts m2 being closed only when it is not desired to permit operation of the station, although the advertising record player 4I may be operating. This energizes check (coin) lock-out solenoid 45 at the locked out dispensing` stations and the armature of the solenoid closes the connection from the coin slot 2l into the coin receiver 23 and diverts the coin into the coin return slot The closing of normally open contacts 431 also energizes busy signal 46 at each locked out station, suitably operating a buzzer or lamp to Warn the prospective user that the machine is busy and will not accept his coin.

If the system is not busy, the insertion of a check (coin) will energize cycle starting relay 21 as above set forth. Contacts 271 and 272 reduce the surge of current passing through the coin operated contacts.

As soon as cycle starting relay 2l is energized a number of eiects occur due to a number of parallel circuits between the normally open contacts 271 and the opposite side of the line. One of these parallel circuits includes the direct current generator el for the telautograph station 48. The generator has a negative power connection 5S and a positive power connection 5l which supply power to the dispensing station telautograph chown in Figure 7. As long as all stations are reversed together, the polarity of terminals 56 and El could he reversed so that connection 5) is positive and connection 5i is negative. The telautois desirahly of conventional character, as ior example that shown in Van Nostrand U. S. Pat-ent No. 1,623,220, granted April 5, 1927, for Telautograph System.

The telautograph is provided with a special pencil or stylus 52 (Figure 2) and rides on a steel plate or bed 53 which may, if desired, have a master form of the policy printed thereon. By so doing, as well known, a special ink pen 5ft (Figure 3) inside the telautograph window 55 lls in a paper form 56 (Figure fl) fed continuously from a roll 5l over a guide roller 53. At the same time, at the master station at headquarters the telautograph records the identical information on a paper form there located.

.also connected in series with the normally open contacts 271 across the line is the power supply Si? of signal oscillator 6l and original locking oscillator S2 (Figure 7). Similarly connected in series with normally open contacts 271 and in another parallel branch is a ready signal t3 (such as a lamp or buzzer) in series with normally open contacts 651 of locking signal transmitting relay t5 (Figure 7). Cycle starting relay 2l includes normally closed contacts 274 and normally open contacts 275 (Figure '7) and when the relay picks up contacts 2l'4 open and contacts 2l5 `close passing energy from generator fil and power leads 5i! and el through normally closed contacts 'm1 of locking shift relay lil, through normallyy open contacts 275 in closed position, through normally closed contacts G32 of lock-out receiving relayliil and then through locking signal transmitting relay 55 to the opposite side of the source. Closing of normally open contacts 651 by locking signal 'transmitting relay 55 operates ready signal 63, which is suitably an electric light.

Also in parallel with the other branches and in series with normally open contacts 271 across the line is telephone I2` (Figure `(i) on which the user-can call up the operator in the master station for instructions. The telephone may be an ear phone and coin boX device. In a separate parallel branch ispush button 'i3 and instruction record player 'I4 (Figures 1, Sland 6).

In a separate parallel branch across the line in series with normally open contacts 271 is normally closed paper limit switch 'l5 which is held open by the policy passing through the telautograph machine at this stage so that paper knife solenoid 76 (whose armature carries the spring return paper knife 761) in series therewith which operates the paper knife is not energized at this stage of the operation.

In series with normally open contacts 211 oi cycle starting relay 2'! and in series with paper limit switch 'i5 and in parallel with paper knife solenoid 'i6 across the line are normally closed contacts 181 of dispensing station release control relay i8, and also relay 'i3 itself.. Normally open contacts 782 of dispensing station release control relay 73 are in series with normally open contacts 271 of cycle starting relay 2l and relay '18.

A second normally closed paper limit switch #Si is in a branch in series with door closing relay 82 and in parallel with dispensing station release control relay l', but in series with normally open contacts 132 of relay 78 and normally open contacts 271 of cycle starting relay 2l'.

When door lock solenoid 32 is energized the door is unlocked. Door `closing limit switch 33 is in contact with contact 9'! of the single pole double throw switch' until the door opening motor 88 has partially opened the door. Then the door closing limit switch 33 is in contact with contact 84 of the single pole double throw switch. In this position although an interruption of electric power to terminals 26 and 3l? would'allow contact i271 to open, the dispenser could operate as soon as electric power was restored without the use of a second check. The normally open contacts 271 of cycle starting relay 27 are in series with and complete the circuit from line terminal 28 to the opposite side of the line in series through normally closed door opening limit switch 85, normally closed contacts 821 of door closing relay 2 and door opening motor itfinding 'dl (which is desirably one winding of door motor 8B, Figures 2 and 3). The door motor t3 drives through its speed reduction to a pinion 8s which meshes with a gear 9B which meshes with pinion 9i on one end of a door cross shaft 92 which extends across the machine and carries a pinion 93 at the opposite end. Pinion 93 intergears with a gear 90 at the opposite end of the machine. Door segments Scl fastened to gears Q0 and 99 move with the gears at the opposite ends to open and close the door. The door continues to open until it is completely open when it contacts door opening limit switch 85, opening the circuit of door opening motor winding 8l and stopping theI motor.

When the policy or other contract is completely filled in, the user places the pen or stylus 52 in the holder at the dispensing station and the operator at the master station causes the contract to be fed out of the telautograph as later explained. Almost at the end of the policy advance an opening in the policy permits paper limit switch l5 to close, energizing the paper knife solenoid T6 which cuts oi the completed policy. This also applies energy through normally` lclosed contacts 7810i dispensing station release control relay 18, energizing the relay and closing normally open holding contacts 182 which hold the relay energized. In its nal advance, the policy opens paper limit switch 15. Since the contract forms are of uniform length, paper limit switch can be at any point along the form at the telautograph and is not influenced by the action of the paper knife.

As the completed form is stepped up or fed out of the telautograph it opens paper limit switch 8|, which opens before paper limit switch l5 closes (Figure 8).

The customer completes the operation of the dispensing unit as shown in Figure 6 by removing the filled out policy which allows paper limit switch 8| to close. When paper limit switch 8| closes, this energizes door closing relay 82 through normally open contacts 2'|1 of cycle starting relay 21, normally open contacts '|82 of dispensing station release control relay 18 and ypaper limit switch 8|. Door closing relay 82 closes normally open contact 822 and energizes door closing motor 96 (preferably a separate winding of door motor 88) which turns the door motor in the direction to close the door. The door motor stops when the door is completely closed, at which time door limit switch 83 is shifted fby the door into position in electrical connection with contact 91, breaking contact 88. At the time that door closing motor 98 is operated to close the door through normally open contacts 95, door opening motor 81 is deenergized because normally closed contacts 821 of door closing relay 82 are now open and door opening motor 81 is not energized even after the door opens enough to allow door opening limit switch 35 to close.

When door closing limit switch 83 is shifted to the position to make contact 81, release relay 28 is energized by current flowing through normally open contacts 183 of dispensing station control relay 18 which are then closed by energization of relay 18. The energizing of release relay 26 breaks normally closed contacts 28 of release relay 28, deenergizing cycle starting relay 21 which deenergizes all the relays and power supplies except the source 28, 38. Latching solenoid 32 resets and holds the door closed until a new user inserts a coin to operate the dispensing station device. The door motor is deliberately made slow and weak enough so that no danger of personal injury to the user arises from the device.

The circuit for operation of the telautograph and the telephone at the dispensing station is f shown in Figure '1. The circuit of Figure 'Z allows a single pair of telephone wires to carry a telephone conversation plus the telautograph signals between the dispensing station and the master station. The circuit includes what is known in the telephone and telegraph industries as a cornposite set |88, which has telephone terminals i8 l, telegraph terminals |82 and an outgoing line |88. This allows each side of the telephone pair of lines to be used for separate telegraph circuits as well as for simultaneous telephone use. Any well known composite set may be used, for eX- ample that described in Standard Handbook for Electrical Engineers (7th edition, McGraw-Hill Book Co.) page 2065, or other similar publication. The telautograph station 48 may be of any well known type, for example that described in U. S. Patent No. 1,628,220 above referred to. It has a lefthand writing terminal |84, a righthand writing terminal |85, `a signal terminal |88, a locking terminal |01, a positive power connection 5| and a negative power connection 58. Direct current power is supplied in any suitable manner, as from the local generator or rectifier 41 at each station, provided each station is properly grounded.

In the present instance the negative side is grounded at |88. The lefthand and righthand writing terminals |84 and |85 are connected by connections ||8 and to the telegraph terminals of the composite set. The outgoing pair of wires |83 interconnect the dispensing station with the master station to be described, and where there are several dispensing stations there are several pairs of wires |83 going out to them as later described. There is but one pair of lines for each dispensing station. The signal terminal and locking terminal voltages are transmitted through the telephone system by carrier currents as explained below.

The telephone 12 is energized as explained above in connection with Figure 6. The telee phone on the communication side is connected by lines ||4 through filter ||5 to the telephone terminals l8| of the composite set. The telephone 12 in Figure '1 may be a standard unit with coin box which accepts nickels, dimes and quarters. As shown in Figure 9, filter H5 passes on low frequency up to a definite cut-off frequency of the filter. To any frequency higher than the cut off frequency filter H5 acts like an open circuit. As Well known in telephone practice, filter H5 has cut-oli frequency high enough to allow understandable voice transmission, cutting off only frequency not necessary to understand the voice. At the master station of Figure 11, a

similar filter i l5 removes any carrier current frequency beyond the cut-off frequency and permits the frequency used in telephoning to pass through the telephone 12 without interference.

A voltage at the signal terminal |88 of the telautograph passes through signal line i l to one of the normally open contacts |281 and also to one of the normally closed contacts 282 of signal receiving relay |28. From the opposite side of the normally closed contacts |282, line |2| connects with one input terminal of signal oscillator 8|, the other input terminal being connected by line |22 with the negative side 58 of the source.

The output terminals of signal oscillator 8| connect by connections |23 with signal filter |24 which on the other side is connected by connections |25 with the telephone terminals |8| of the composite set in parallel with the connections from telephone filter |5.

Signal oscillator 8| thus is caused to generate a frequency f1, which is slightly higher than the cut-off frequency of telephone filter H5. Signal filter |24 passes only this signal frequency to the composite set and thence to the master station. ln the master station a, similar signal filter |24 passes this signal frequency and allows signal receiving relay |28 to be energized, since it is connected to signal filter |28 by connections |28 and Ill7 passing through normally open contacts 683 of lock-out receiving relay 83. Relay 33 is energized as described later, causing contacts 833 to be closed. When the signal receiving relay |28 (in the master station, Figure ll) is energized, it closes normally open contacts |i1 of relay |28 and connects signal line I8 from signal terminal |88 to the positive side of the source 5| by lead |38.

When a coin is deposited in the coin slot and cycle starting relay 21 is energized, normally closed contacts 214 open and normally open contacts 215 close, connecting the positive side 5| of the source through normally closed contacts '|01 of locking shift relay l, through normally open contacts 2l'5 (in closed position) of cycle starting relay 2l, to one of the normally open contacts 434 and to one of the normally closed contacts 432, both of lock-out relay 43 (Figure 7). The opposite side of normally closed contact 432 connects through lead |32 with one of the normally open contacts i352 of locking signal transmitting relay t and also through locking signal transmitting relay 65 and lead |34 to the negative side of the source. A branch lead I35from lead itt con-- nects to the input of original locking oscilla tor t2. When the normally `open contacts |352 of locking signal transmitting relay t5 are closed by energizing relay |55, the normally open contact $52 is connected by lead |36 to the opposite side of original locking oscillator 62. As soon as cycle starting relay 2l is energized, locking signal transmittingrelay 65 is therefore energized, applying energy to the input of original locking oscillator B2. The output of original locking osoillator |32 is connected by leads |37 with locking filter |33 which is connected to telephone terminals lili of the composite set, in parallel with the telephone filter and the signal lter. The frequency f2 of locking filter |33 is slightly higher than the frequency f1 of signal filter |24 as shown in Figure 9, but is still well within the minimum frequency capabilities of modern telephone practice. This locking filter |38 corresponds in frequency to original locking oscillator G2 and passes only frequency f2, while signal lter IM corresponds in frequency with signal oscillator tl and passes only frequency f1. At the master station frequency f2 passes through locking lter mit (Figure l1) and operates lock-out receiving relay 43 to apply voltage from the source to the locking terminal lill of the master station telautograph.

When the customer starts to write by picking up the pen, energy is applied to the locking terminal |07 in the dispensing station telautograph, energizing locking line it. This causes current to flow through normally closed contacts 'm2-of locking shift relay lil, energizing relay "lil and closing normally open contacts 'm3 of the same relay. Normally open contacts M3 when closed hold locking shift relay l@ in operation. When locking, shift relay it picks up, normally open contacts M4 of locking shift relay li) close, connecting locking terminal lill and locking line |48 through normally closed contacts 432 and normally open contacts i352 (in closed position) with the input of original locking oscillator 62 at the dispensing station. At the same time, the locking action previously applied through normally closed contacts 'm1 of locking shift relay i9 ceases and the locking impulse sent out through locking filter |33 depends upon the use of the pen by the user and ceases when the user puts the pen down as well known in telautograph practice. Therefore, when the user puts the pen down, the dispensing station can receive telautograph` impulses from the master station which will produce writing on the policy or other contract at the dispensing station.

Locking signal transmitting relay S5 has a set of normally closed contacts 653 which are in circuit with lockout receiving relay 43 across the input side of locking lterlS, to `keep lock-out receiving relay 43 from operating as long as the pen at the dispensing station in use.

At the master station shown in Figure 11, the composite set, telautograph lters |24 and |38,

telephone filter' H5, oscillators 6| and 52 and relays 43, 65 and |20 are connected in the same way as at the dispensing station, as chown in Figure 7, except that normally open contacts 275, and normally closedcontacts 274 of cycle starting relay 2l are omitted, and locking shift relay 'it and its contacts lill, 762, 103 and l|l4 are omitted, and contact 435 of lock-out relay is added. The differences in the circuit of Figure 1 1 (taken with Figure 10) from Figure 7 will now be described.

The telephone 72 in Figure 11 will desirably be the same asthat used by long distance telephone operators, so that the master station operator can collect the price ofthe policy before signing or validating the policy.

After a customer has deposited a coin in the coin slot of a particular dispensing station, which for convenience will be described as station X, a locking signal is produced at this station as already described. This locking signal passes through contacts XI'H and XM2 in righthand position as shown, thence to lines |53, thence through contacts |73 and |74 of any dispensing stations similar to X and Y and thence through YI'IS `and YI'M, and thence through Xll3 and Kil-i to terminals |33 of the composite set and thence through the composite set and through locking filter |38 of the master station, energizing lock-out receiving relay 43 at the master station. The energizing of lock-out receiving relay 43 closes normally open contacts 435 on this relay, applyingenergy through system lock-out relay |46 and normally closed reset switch |41. When system lock-out relay picks up it closes normally open contacts |481 which hold system lockout relay |45:` closed, `and applies energy from powerterminals 50 and 5| to input leads |5| of system-locking oscillator |52. System locking oscillator |52 sends out a `strong locking signal at locking frequenfy` f2 to the entire system through locking lines |53. The distribution of this locking ,carrier wave to the system is described below in connection with a description of the switching.

Considering now Figure 10, system lock-out relay |46 also is .provided with normally open Contacts |4$2 in series across the line with normally closed contacts X|5`|1 and Y|5l1 respectively of line switching relays X|5l (for station X) and Y|5`| (for station Y), and also with auxiliary 4filter control relay |58. Auxiliary filter control relay |58 closes normally open contacts |581 which hold the relay closed notwithstanding the opening of contacts |462 of system lock-out relay |46. Auxiliary lter control relay |58 (Figure 10) has normally closed contacts X|582 and Y|582 (Figure 11) in the lines ||l|3 of the respective stations, which disconnect the lines of any dispensing station from the master station when auxiliary filter control relay |53 is energized. An auxiliaryk filter |62 is interposed across theline |03 of each station in series with normally open contacts Xi, Yii, etc. of auxiliary filter control relay |58. Auxiliary locking iilter |62- is of the same character and passes the same` frequency range f2 as locking iilter itis'. The auxiliary filter control relay |53 isolates each station from signal feed back from any other station. On the output side of each aux-- iliary locking nlter 62 is an auxiliary filter lociing signal relay X164, YIE4, etc. The dispensing station sending the locking signal causes the appropriate relay, in this case Kw4, to pick up.

Auxiliary iilter locking signal relay Kw4, in common `with the other `similar relays in the other lines, has `a normally open ,contact Xltfll (Figure 16) in series with line switching relay X|51 and with a normally open contact |463 of system lock-out relay |46. Line switching relay X|51 has normally open contacts X|512 which shunt contacts X|641 and hold the relay closed. An exactly similar construction is provided for line switching relay Y| 51 and any other similar relays for the individual dispensing stations. A series of signal lights individual to the different line switching relays |51 designated as X168 and Y|68 are energized by normally open contacts X1513 and Y! 513 on line switching relays XI 51 and Y|51 respectively. Each of the line switching relays |51 has a contact X|511, Y|511, etc. which is in series with auxiliary lter control relay |58 and is normally closed and does not open until all other contacts of the line switching relay |51 close when the relay is energized, as well known in the art. The opening of contacts U511 or Y|511 deenergizes auxiliary lter control relay |58 and the deenergization of auxiliary filter control relay |58 closes the various normally closed contacts |582 and connects the lines from all dispensing stations to the main busv of the master station. The line switching relay |51 for each dispensing station carries a series of single pole double throw switches respectively designated as X|1|, Xl12, X113, X114 for relay XI51, Y|1|, Y|12, YI18, Y|14 for relay Y|51, etc. (Figure 11). When the particular line switching relay, say X151, is energized these switches are thrown to the lefthand position of Figure 11, connecting the particular dispensing station whose relay |51 is energized with the incoming terminals of the composite set of the master unit. All other dispensing stations whose relays are not energized remain disconnected from the master station composite set and are connected to locking signals from system locking oscillator |52, which trans? mits at the same frequency as original locking oscillator 52.

The telautograph system now permits the policy to be filled out by the customer, or by the operator at the master station or by both of them, only one writing at one time, and neither station able to break in until the other has finished.

When the policy has been completely filled out and executed, the operator at the master station pushes release policy switch button |15, which connects release relay |16 across the line through contacts 435 of lockeout relay 43 (Figure 11) (when the pen at the dispensing station is returned to its holder) and also connects forward step relay |11 in series with normally closed contacts |801 of reset step relay |88 across the line (Figure 10). Forward step relay |11 has a normally open contact |111 (Figure 11) which when closed connects the paper advance terminals of the telautograph (as well known in the art), advancing the contract forms at both the master and the active dispensing station one step. When the form advances paper limit switch |82 (Figure l) at the master station is closed by the form, thus holding release relay |16 and forward step relay |11 closed notwithstanding opening of the policy release switch |15, by current flowing through v'normally closed paper stop switch |83, paper limit switch |82 and normally open contacts |151 (in closed position) of release relay |16.

na separate branch of the circuit parallel with release relay |16 and in series with paper limit switch |32, paper stop switch |83 and normally open contacts |161 is reset step relay |88 in series with normally open contacts |112 of forward step relay |11. As soon as reset step relay 1881s energized it opens normally closed contacts |881 and deenergizes forward step relay |11. When forward step relay |11 is deenergized it opens paper advance contacts |8|, resetting the policy advance mechanism of the telautograph (Figure 11) and deenergizes back step relay |88. When back step relay |88 deenergizes, forward step relay |11 is again energized. This step-by-step alternate energization and deenergization of step relays |11 and |88 continues until paper limit switch |82 is opened due to an opening at the end of the contract form. This stops the advance of the policies at both stations.

After the customer has removed his policy and the switch 8| has closed at station X, the operator at the master station pushes reset button |41 which unlocks the entire system by deenergizing system lock-out relay |46, opening contacts |48 and deenergizing system locking oscillator |52. Also contacts |463 open, deenergizing line switching relay X151. A user at station Y or any other station can then proceed to operate the device.

Operation In operation it will be understood that the customer passing by the machine hears the contract advertised by electrical phonograph 4| operating under control of timer 42 with suitable automatic record changers as desired. This adveristing device remains in operation until normally closed contact 213 (Figure 6) of cycle starting relay 21 opens as later explained.

When the customer desires to operate the machine he inserts a coin in coin slot 2|, closing check controlled switch 28 momentarily. The coin, assuming it passes the slug rejector, enters coin box 23 unless the system is busy. If the system is busy, the locking signal from system locking oscillator |52 and passing through switches |1|, |12 in the lefthand position of Figure 11 goes through composite set |88 (Figure 1), and locking lter |38 and energizes lock-out receiving relay 43, closing normally open contacts 431 (Figure 6) which operates busy signal 46 and also energizes coin lock-out solenoid 45, causing the coin to be rejected into coin return slot 24.

Assuming that the customer has found the system free, or has waited until the busy signal has ceased, the closing of the check controlled switch 26 in the absence of the busy condition energizes cycle starting relay 21. This closes normally open contacts 211 (and at the same time opens normally closed contacts 213 to prevent operation of the busy signal). Latching solenoid 32 is energized and releases the door, energy is applied to the generator for the telautograph and to the power supply 6i! (Figure 6) for the oscillators 6| and 62 (Figure '1) the ready signal 63 (Figure 6) is operated, telephone 12 is placed in operation and instruction record player 14 is rendered available for operation by pressing push button 13.

Paper limit switch 15 is open (Figures 6 and 8) and prevents operation of the paper knife solenoid at this time. Door opening motor winding 81 of door opening moto-r 88 is energized, and the door is motor driven to opening position until door opening limit switch 65 is opened by the door and disconnects the opening motor.

When cycle starting relay 21 closes, a preliminary locking signal is sent out as follows by the circuit of Figure '1.

Normally closed contacts 211 of cycle starting relay 21 open and normally open contacts 215 of the same relay close, transmitting a locking 13 signal from power terminal I of the telautograph of the particular operating dispensing station through normally closed contacts 'lill of locking shift relay 'lil in closed position, through the closed normally open contacts 275 of cycle starting relay 2l, through normally closed contacts 432 of lock-out receiving relay i3 and then through locking signal transmitting relay S5 and lead 134 to the opposite side of the power source. Locking signal transmitting relay65 `then picks up, opening `normally closed contacts 553 `in the circuit of lock-out receiving relay 43 and thus preventing relay 't3 from being energized. Lock out receiving relay 43 is energized only when the particular station is locked out. Normally open contacts 652 of lock-out transmitting relay t5 close and connect to the positive side of the source through normally closed contacts 432 of lock-out receiving relay i3 in closed position, normally open contacts 215 (in closed position) of cycle starting relay 2l and normally closed contacts 'lill of locking shift .relay 70, and to the input side of the original locking oscillator thus energizing the locking oscillator. rThe opposite side of the inp-ut oi locking oscillator ci is connected to the negativo side of the source. Signal relay l2@ cannot be energized as normaln ly open contacts 333 in its relay circuit are open.

Original locking oscillator 62 sends out a locking carrier Wave through locking lter 33 to the telephone terminals IGI of composite set iilii and thence to outgoing line ID3 to the master station.

Referring now to Figure 1l, at the master station the locking carrier wave passes through .normally closed contacts Xl582 (it being assumed that station X is operating) and switches Xlll and X i722 in their righthand position, then along the bus bars through switches Yll3, Ylli and X173, Xlfl in their righthand position to comn posite set itil. From the composite set the locking carrier wave passes through locking lter l 3S and causes lock-out receiving relay 43 to loe energized. Normally open contacts e36 of lockout receiving relay d'3 are closed, energizing system lockout relay M6, and normally open contacts M oi" system lock-out relay ist close and hold the system lock-out relay closed, and energize system locking oscillator 52 at the master station. This system locking oscillator sends out a strong locking carrier wave through lines l53 and switches Yl'il, Ylli in the righthand position to station Y, and to each other similar locked out station. At station Y and at each similar station as seen in Figure 7, this locking carrier Wave passes through composite set itil, lter ISS and causes lock-out receiving relay 43 to ce energizeol.

The energizing of lock-out receiving relay :i3 opens normally closed. contacts G31, and thereby opens the circuit of locking signal transmitting relay 55 so that original locking oscillator cannot be energized. At the same time signal oscillator Gi remains inoperative because its signal terminal M35 has no energy.

As seen in Figure 10, normally open contacts i462 of system lock-out relay ill@ are in series through normally closed contacts Xlll and Yll'l with auxiliary lter control relay 58, and relay H58 is therefore energized, closing its normally open contacts i581 which shunt normally open contacts I42 and hold auxiliary iilter control relay .i5l3 in operation. Relay l58 has normally closed contacts Xl582, Y|582 in the line of each station (see Figure 11). These normally closed contacts Xl582, YISSZ open. Normally open contacts X i583, Yi 5553 for each station close when auxiliary lter control relay is ener' gized and connect auxiliary locking filters 52 (which respond to the sainel frequency as locking filters ist) to each pair of incoming lines and at the same time isolate each station from signal feed back from any other station. The station which is sending out its locking signal causes the appropriate auxiliary locking illter to pass energy which causes the corresponding auxiliary lter locking signal relay Xiti to be energized, closing normally open contacts Xi 641 fin series with a line switching relay Xll and in series with normally open contacts i463 (now closed) of system lock-out relay M5.

Line switching relay XI5'I lcloses normally open contacts Xiti2 which shunt normally open contacts Xlil and hold line `switching relay XIS? energized. Normally closed contacts Xl'l of line switching relay Xll, which cannot open until normally opencontacts Xl512 close, deenergize auxiliary lter control relay |58, which allows contacts X I 582 to close (Figure 1l). Relay Xl'i when it energizes moves switches XI'H, XM2, KHS and X574 to the lefthand position, thus connecting lines H33 from station X to the composite set of the master station and `at the same time leaving the lines from all the other stations connected to the locking signal being generated by system lockingl oscillator E52.

A customer, for example, at station X, will normally press the push button 13 (Figure 6) and listen to the instruction record player '14, or in some cases talk on the telephone 'l2 with the master station. When adequately instructed, the customer will take hold `of the special pencil or stylus '52 (Figure 2) and write on the .steel pad or plate 533 filling in the information required for the insurance policy or other contract.

This energizes locking terminal lill of' telautograph dispensing station X as well known in the art, and the energizing of locking terminal I lll causes current to pass through normally closed r contacts HB2 of locking shift relay I0 (Figure 7),

which makes locking shift relay 'It pick up. When locking shift relay lil picks up it closes normally open contacts 'H33 of relay lil, causing relay 'l to remain energized. When locking shift relay ill picks up it also closes normally open contacts 'm4, which transmits the locking signal from locking line lill through normally closed contacts M2, lead i3? and locking signal transmitting relay 65, causing locking signal transmitting relay $5 to remain energized and thus continuing to transmit the locking signal to the master station as long as the pen is being used. When, however, the pen is put down, the master station can take over the function of writing, and can write on the policy (make necessary signatures), which is lled out in duplicate originals at the master station and at the dispensing station. It is not possible, however, for both the dispensing station and the master station to write at the same time. The picking up of locking shift relay l@ opens normally closed contacts m2 and thus discontinues the continuous locking signal previously transmitted from positive power terminal 5l of the telautograph and makes the locking signal dependent upon the Ause of the pen, continuing while the pen is in use and ceasing when the pen isnot in use.

The energizing of lock-out receivingrelay 43 (Figure 11) at the master station closes normally open contacts 433 ofi this relay and completesr the circuit of signal relay |20 connected to filter |24. Likewise the energizing of lock-out receiving relay 43 opens normally closed contacts 432 in the circuit of locking signal transmitting relay 65, thus preventing relay 65 from being energized and thus assuring that loriginal locking oscillator 52 at the master station will not operate at the time that the user is writing at the dispensing station. When lock-out receiving relay 43 is energized, it closes its normally open contacts 434, applying energy to the locking terminal |81. Thus in eifect voltage has been applied by the carrier system to locking terminal ll at the master station, while at the same time original locking oscillator 62 at the master station is rendered inoperative. When the telautograph at the dispensing station is energized it applies signal Voltage from signal terminal lill to the input side of signal oscillator 6i, which sends out a signal carrier wave through signal lter me and composite set to the master station. The carrier wave at the master station passes through telephone terminals, passes through signal lter |24 and through signal relay |20 whose circuit has been closed by the energization of lock-out receiving relay 43, Energization of signal relay |20 now occurs, which opens normally closed contacts |282 to signal oscillator 6| and closes its normally open contacts H1, applying voltage from the source at the master station (which is continuously connected to the master station) to signal terminal |06 by means of the operation of the carrier system.

In the meantime the writing signals are transmitted through telegraph terminals of the composite set at the dispensing station to the telegraph terminals of the composite set at the master station, thus filling in both duplicate originals of the insurance policy or other contract.

At any time during operation of the telautograph, the customer may desire information which is not included in the instructions. He can then use the telephone to communicate with the operator at the master station, the telephone current passing through telephone filter I without interfering in any way with the telautograph. At the receiving station, a similar telephone lter l5 filters out all telautograph carrier waves and passes the telephone current to the telephone 12.

At any time the user may communicate information by telephone to the master station and when the user lays down the pen at the dispensing station, the operator at the master station can continue to ll out and sign the policy. In this case the dispensing station ceases to send out a locking signal as soon as the user lays down his pen, although all other stations remain locked out due to the operation of system lock-out oscillator |52. As soon as the operator at the master station takes up the pen, a locking signal is transmitted from locking terminal |01 to the dispensing station by reason of the energization of locking signal transmitting relay 65 which puts original locking oscillator 62 in operation. From then on until the operator at the master station lays down his pen, the master station acts as the sending station and the dispensing station acts as the receiving station in exactly the reverse relationship to that previously described.

At the end of the iilling out of the policy, assuming the policy has been paid for by the coins deposited in the telephone coin box, the insurance company operator at the master station signs the policy, thus completing it. If the policy is not to go into effect until a check or the like is received, this operation can be deferred until the user sends in his check. A blank check can, if desired, be included in the policy form. Thus the purchaser can complete and sign or the purchaser can sign a check prepared and returned to the master station. The insurance company representative can write on the policy to indicate that the policy will not go into effect until the check has been honored and the premium is received. Likewise, if it is found that the customer is entitled to a refund of money deposited, this information can also be written on the policy by the insurance company operator (representative or agent). Thus the transaction can be completed in a few minutes and is vvery economical of time. When the policy has been completely filled in, and the customer has returned the pen to its holder to close normally closed contacts ill, the operator at the master station pushes policy release switch |15 (Figure l0). This energizes relay |16 and forward step relay |11. Forward step relay |11 has a normally open contact i'ill (Figure 1l) across the paper advance terminals of the telautograph which advance the forms at both stations by step motion as well known in the art. A second normally open contact |112 of forward step relay |11 energizes reset step relay and a normally closed contact |891 of reset step relay1 lu@ opens and` deenergizes forward step relay |11. Thus step relays |11 and |88 energize alternately and successively cause the opening and closing of paper advance contacts |8| so that the paper at the dispensing station and at the master station feeds forward in successive steps.

As soon as the paper begins its advance, it closes paper limit switch |82, in series with normally open contacts i'a'Sl of release relay |16, thus holding release relay |16 in operation notwithstanding that the policy release switch merely makes contact for a few moments.

At each time after the contacts of forward step relay |11 opens, the policy advance mechanism of the telautograph resets for the next forward step as well known. This cycle is repeated until the paper form causes paper limit switch |82 to open (Figure 12). This stops the advance of the contract forms at both stations. The operator at the master station can at any time stop the advance of the contract'forms by opening the stop switch |83 to open the circuit of release relay |16 and step relay Ill or |88, whichever one is operating at the moment. i

As the policy at the dispensing station is fed out of the machine, normally closed, paper limit switch 8| opens (Figure 8), and then a notch or opening in the policy allows paper limit switch "it to close. This energizes paper knife solenoid "it, cutting off the completed policy (Figure 6). This also energizes dispensing station control relay 13 which holds itself closed by normally open contacts 182. The policy in its final advance from the machine opens paper limit switch 15.

When a customer pulls the completed form out of the machine, paper limit switch I3| (which was formerly open) is allowed to close. This energizesl door closing relay 82 through paper limit switch 8| and contact '|82 of dispensing station control relay '18. Contacts 322 of door closing relay 82 energize door closing motor 86, which causes the door to close. Normally closed contact 821 of door closing rela-y 82 keeps the door opening motor 81 deenergized when the door closes enough to allowdoor opening limit switch 85 to close. When door closing limit switch 83 is operated bythe 'closed door, release relay 26 is energized through closed contact '1'83 of relay 18. Normally closed contacts 261 of release relay 2t open and deenergize cycle starting relay 21. This deenergizes all the relays and power supplies at the dispensing station except terminals 28, 3. The latch holds the door closed until a new coin is inserted. Y

After the customer has removed the policy and the door has been closed at station X, the operator at the central station pushes reset button |41. This deenergizes system lock-out relay |46 and normally open contacts Mtl open, deenergizing system locking oscillator l52 which unlocks all the other stations. Normally open contacts Ulli3 `(Figure 10) also open, deenergizing line switching relay Xl'l. The system is then available for operation by insertion of a coin at any one of the dispensing stations. In case the coin is inserted at station Y, station Y operates exactly after the manner of station X already described, and station X and all other stations are locked out.

It will be evident that the machine operates in a very simple and effective manner to dispense a policy or contract at low cost.

While the invention may in many instances have its widest application in connection with the sale of insurance and the making of contracts, it will be understood that it is also applicable in other elds of activity. For example, it may be used by accountants in conducting the account of small businesses, the master station being placed at the accountants oice, and the individual dispensing stations being located in the oiices of customers, at which points the transactions of the customers can be recorded for the guidance of the accountants.

The invention may similarly be used in any other business in which information capable of being written is to be transmitted to or from a master station by or to individual dispensing stations.

In View of my invention and disclosure variations and modifications to meet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilled in the art, to obtain all or part of the benets of my invention without copying the structure and process shown, and I, therefore, claim all such insofar as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope of my claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a contract vending machine, a telautograph having a paper feed, a check controlled switch, a source of current, a movable door on the machine, a door opening and a door closing motor operatively connected to the door, a cycle starting relay in circuit with the check controlled switch across the source and having contacts in circuit with the door opening motor across the source, a door opening limit switch in circuit with the door opening motor and operatively connected to be opened by the door in open position of the door, a paper limit switch opened bythe paper and means in circuit with the paper limit switch for starting the door closing motor, stopping the door closing motor and deenergizmg the cycle starting relay.

2. In a contract vending machine, a telautograph having a paper feed, a check controlled switch, a source of current, a movable door on the machine, a door opening and a door closing motor operatively connected to the door, a cycle starting relay in circuit with the check controlled switch across the source and having contacts in circuit with the door opening motor across the source, a door opening limit switch in circuit with the door opening motor and operatively connected to be opened by the door in open position of the door, first and second paper limit switches operatively connected to the paper so that the rst paper limit switch is first opened by the paper, the second paper limiit switch is next closed by the paper, the second paper limit switch is next opened by the paper and the rst paper limit switch is next closed by the paper, a release control relay, a release relay, a door closing relay and a door closing limit switch, the release control relay being in circuit with the second paper limit switch and with contacts on the cycle starting relay across the source and having holding contacts and contacts in circuit with the release relay across the source and also contacts in circuit with the door closing relay across the source, the first paper limit switch being in circuit with the door closing relay across the source, the door closing relay having contacts in circuit with the door closing motor and the door closing limit switch across the source, and also having contacts in circuit with the door opening motor, the door closing limit switch in the closed door position being in circuit with the release relay and the contacts on the release control relay across the source, and the release relay having contacts in circuit with the cycle starting relay across the source.

3. In a contract vending machine, a telautograph having a paper feed, a movable door on the machine, check controlled electrical means for opening the door and paper controlled electrical means for closing the door.

4. In a contract vending machine, a telautograph having a paper feed, a movable door on the machine, a solenoid lock on the door, check controlled electrical means for energizing the solenoid lock and unlocking the door, check controlled electrical means for opening the door, and paper controlled electrical means for closing the door and releasing the solenoid lock.

5. In a contract vending machine, a telautograph having a paper feed, a check controlled switch, a source of current, a movable door on the machine, a door opening and a door closing motor operatively connected to the door, a solenoid lock, a cycle starting relay in circuit with the check controlled switch across the source and having contacts in circuit with the solenoid lock across the source and with the door opening motor across the source, a door opening limit switch in circuit with the door opening motor and operatively connected to be opened by the door in open position of the door, rst and second paper limit switches operatively connected to the paper so that the first paper limit switch is first opened by the paper, the second paper limit switch is next closed by the paper, the second paper limit switch is next opened by the paper, and the first paper limit switch is next closed by the paper, a release control relay, a release relay and a door closing relay, the release control relay being in circuit with the second paper limit switch and with contacts on the cycle starting relay across the source and having holding contacts and contacts in circuit with the release relay across the source and also contacts in circuit with the door closing relay across the mamma;

limtswtohV across; the. source, andi' also havingA contacts rin circuit-With they doorfopenng, motor,

the door closing lirnitzswitchain thelcloseddoorpositon being` in circuiti with: the. release relayand `:contacts onvthe release ,controlrelay across the. source and thefreleaseirelay -havngcontacts in circuit with thea starting.` relay; acrossl the 6;A Inacontract asa-les machine, ,a plurality, of

paper releasenswtchzxat the= masterfstaton, a,

sourceofcurrent, afpaperfrelease relayin series with the paperrelease switch across t the; sourceand hayngjpanerrstep; contacts, closed .when the,

20% relaw ist energized@ a; paper; limit A switch andi means ;.fcra successivelyeopenngs and closing thef paper feed'facontacts in fseriesrwitlr 4tht?moverlinfrgtu switch anda tire, paper;I sten-i contacts1across.;the source.

References- Oitedi in I the I le -1 oi this-- patent?vv UNITED; :STATES ;i

Number. Name Date-- 1562332201 Van Nostra-nde Apr: 15- 19-2-7 159705455@ Humphr'es Aug; 14; 1934-4 221863252* Littleu Jana- 9; 194A)` 2:213/,018Jv` Burcky=L Feb. 17; 1942"Y 2,2'76-,99 1n Long etial.- Mar.- 17, 1942-x 2,:346;238f- Schmicli'fettal, Apr: 11, 1944-f 2,347,481'. Hoeven Apr-s 255 1944-f 2;"155-724l Bacon' Dec: 7; 1948i' 

